|
BULAWAYO —Prominent actor and playwright Bhekilizwe Bernard Ndlovu (pictured) has been forced to quell rumours that he is gay after he tackled the controversial subject in his thesis for post-graduate studies.
Ndlovu who was one of the leading actors in the popular soap Amakorokoza and had a high profile marriage with singer, Sandra Ndebele is studying at the University of Witwatersrand, in South Africa.
He said those questioning his sexuality should ask Ndebele who has since had a baby with another man.
“Me gay, of all people, ababuze umaNdebele phela (they must ask Ndebele),” he told this reporter through the social network forum, Facebook.
“Yes my research at Wits was on gay rights. My thesis was about exploring the model that is anti-homophobia for Zimbabweans in South Africa.
“Am proud of my findings and involvement in the kind of work and I must say, I discovered a lot.”
Ndlovu popularly known as AK after his starring role in Amakorokoza could not divulge more details about his findings.
“But I am certainly not gay,” he said. “I actually have to deal with my own homophobia at times (sic), but it is worthwhile.”
He went on to invite this reporter to a gay rights drama opening at the Nunnery Theatre at Wits University next week.
Ndebele could not be reached for comment on the matter as her phone was continuously unreachable.
Last month, another popular Amakorokoza actor, Frank Malaba told Standardplus that he was gay.
He is now a host of radio programme on gay issues in South Africa and has a partner identified as Lee Lucas Strydom.
Homosexuality is unlawful in Zimbabwe and President Robert Mugabe once referred to those who practice it as worse than “pigs and dogs.”
However, the subject is likely to dominate national debate again during the constitution-making process as rights activists continue to clamour for the protection of gay rights in the country’s supreme law.
Malawan President Bingu Wa Mutharika recently overturned a court ruling which sentenced a gay couple to an effective 14 years in prison following an international outcry by human rights activists.
Tiwonge Chimbalanga (20) and Steven Munjeza (26) were arrested after they held a symbolic wedding.
 |
Show/Hide comments
Show/Hide comment form
